March 30: Marathon to Sanderson, TX

Somewhere after Fort Davis, the road signs have changed; we are now on the Texas Pecos Trail.

Moira checked us out as we left the Gage Hotel (she is under 5 feet tall, so the step stool gives her height and auth

We encountered fog or smoke early in the ride – never figured out which, but it dissipated soon after we passed.

As usual, Moira had a wonderful sag set up.

There was not much to photograph today. We were excited when we entered Pecos County at mile 31.

Cattle were seen grazing at times and we saw several ranch signs.

At mile 42, we entered Terrell County.

Needless to say, the scenery seems desolate, though we are seeing more and more shades of green with spring coming to the desert.

We are spending the night in Sanderson, Cactus Capital of Texas, at the Outback Oasis Motel.

Also housed at the motel is a collection of snakes and spiders.

Because we had arrived in town much earlier than usual, I went for a walk to explore the town, sadly closed down, some for the Easter holiday weekend, many permanently. I did find the Terrell County Courthouse.

And I met Helen and Cassie. Helen has blue bonnets in her front yard, which caught my eye. But it is the many cacti flowering in her backyard which were a treat.

My roommate tonight is Flo Bhatia, originally from Australia, now from Sugarland, TX. She and I rode together up Emory Pass.

Total 55 miles today, average 12.3 mph.

Tomorrow is our long (111 miles) ride into Del Rio – don’t expect an entry….